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Sound! Euphonium Welcome to Kitauji High School's Concert Band (響け! ユーフォニアム 北宇治高校吹奏楽部へようこそ,Hibike! Euphonium Kitauji Kōkō Suisōgaku-bu e Yōkoso?) is the first light novel of the Hibike! Euphonium series, and it was released on December 5, 2013. An English adaption was released on June 20, 2017[2].

The novel focuses on Kumiko Oumae entering Kitauji High School and follows the events that unfold around her. Kumiko makes a host of new friends, and also confronts Reina, an old acquaintance from middle school with whom she had an uncomfortable falling out.

Contents

Publisher's Summary

Kitauji High School's Concert Band used to be a competitive ensemble, even making it to nationals, but since the director changed, they had not even advanced to the Kansai Regionals. However, under the strict instruction of the newly appointed Taki Noboru, the students find themselves steadily improving as they face daily ups and downs, including students fighting over solos or quitting the band to prioritize studies over band activities. Regardless, the day of the prefecture competition finally arrives.

An entertaining novel that depicts the emotional and mental development of everyday teenage girls.

Preface

It's okay to get serious, right?

A touching story of 'sound' that depicts teenage concert band girls growing emotionally and mentally in ways that cannot be acquired from classes alone! Let all sounds become one!

Synopsis

Prologue

Kumiko Oumae and her friend Azusa Sasaki sit and wait for the results that would tell whether they qualified for nationals or not. Kumiko and Azusa were very nervous, explaining that they might die from suspense. Many people had their gazes fixated in the same direction.

After hearing that Kitauji earned a gold rating, everyone cheered and screamed things like 'We did it!' or 'It's gold!' Kumiko was spacing out, but Azusa embraced her and Kumiko smiled. Azusa then left to go share the news with a friend. Everyone seemed satisfied-- even Kumiko's director.

Kumiko then met Reina Kousaka's eyes. She was crying, and Kumiko asked if she was crying tears of joy. Reina instead revealed that she was furious, and wondered why everyone was pleased with just gold, especially since they were aiming for nationals. Kumiko asked Reina skeptically if she actually thought that they could get as far as nationals. Reina wiped her tears and asked derisively whether Kumiko felt ashamed at all. Her bitter words stuck with Kumiko, and Reina ran off, saying she was too frustrated.

Whenever Kumiko thought of her last band competition in junior high, she remembered Reina's tears, and felt an urge to run from the shame and embarrassment she felt that summer.

Chapter 1 - Hello Euphonium

In chapter one of the this book, Kumiko, Hazuki, and Midori all meet. As well as all the bass members of the band, including Taki-sensei.